My family is moving across the country to Chicago and I spent one weekend there looking for houses. Our favorite house showed a few problems on inspection, and since we couldn't be there it is hard to determine the severity of those problems. Our big concern is the finding in the basement of:
Sag noted at main beam in basement.
Crushing is noted on main beam at bearing point of 4 steel posts.
Drop in structure noted on both upper living levels, toward center of house.
Recommend further review and corrections as needed by qualified contractors which may include carpenter and structural engineer.
As luck would have it, I happened to take a picture which captured the "crushing" at one of the 4 posts. You can view it at:
http://i9.tinypic.com/4mjcy28.jpg
The house is 85 years old with the second story added at some point afterwards, so obviously the weight increased and they might not have added extra support. Any advice? Does it look/sound like a dealbreaker?
2007-08-09 16:45:27 · 8 answers · asked by gotaprofquestion 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
You can add a couple more support posts but remember, you're going to have to cut out some concrete anf dig out some dirt and pour a fotting for the support post to sit on. Then you'll need to fill in to floor height. The support post must be captured inside the concrete. You'll need to ask at the City office where this house is. Once the new posts are in, you can begin the process of jacking up the support beam to get your floors leveled out. It's a long and slow process, or should be or you'll crack the walls and such upstairs. If the sinking is bad you will notice that doors will stick and not want to open and close properly.
One thing that I also noticed in the picture is that the handrail leading down to the basement is not legal. The spindles can not be more than 4" apart. Did the inspector mention that in his report? Maybe that's not an issue there but I know here you would not get an occupancy permit the way it is.
2007-08-09 18:24:19 · answer #1 · answered by albertaguy7 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Basement Support Posts
2016-10-31 13:13:50 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a house that old had no building codes and no inspections they could build anything the wanted anyway they want and most were built sub standard that would appear to have major function problems those steel post were put in after the problems started Their is not much of a chance they beefed up the foundation when they added the 3rd story the 1\2 basement counts as a floor for foundation weight structural engineers are big bucks and that is just the start if he feels the house is un safe your moving out that day just the words "structural engineer" sounds like 50 k to me you will end up with permits, plans, engineering contractors,ect. I would call that a big deal breaker? good luck Tom
2007-08-09 18:19:51 · answer #3 · answered by tom k 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The crack you mention may not be a significant problem if it doesn't grow or shift alignment between the upper and bottom parts. What may have happened is a fracture due to thermal stress. If the crack relieved the stress and stays put, all is well. What I didn't hear your inspector say is that the ground under the foundation is stable. If it settles, more cracks will show and that one will shift. If your house was new when you bought it (less than 2 years old) watch out. The ground may not be done settling yet, and the earth may have been improperly prepared before pouring the foundation. If however, your house is more than 20 years old, the ground probably will not settle much more. Just keep an eye on that crack and any new ones.
2016-05-18 04:46:04 · answer #4 · answered by shirleen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is hard to tell how good the beam is from a picture if the wood is rotting or not. It looks to me like you need to add another post or two to support the basement. Is it a deal breaker only someone that has checked the beam can tell you that.
2007-08-09 17:10:50 · answer #5 · answered by magman52 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That "crushing" shouldn't be a problem that is what those beams are there for you can always put in another beam jack if need be to distribute the load a little better, unless you havea termite infestation it will be fine
2007-08-09 17:02:36 · answer #6 · answered by natedawg121 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Expect problems in the future. Allow for budget for future repairs. Ask a building contractor for help with assessment of repairs and severity of the problem.
2007-08-09 19:39:47 · answer #7 · answered by len b 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't touch it
2007-08-09 18:46:45 · answer #8 · answered by brainstorm 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋